Dana NesselA Tenacious Advocate for Justice

Dana Nessel is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law School. She is the managing partner of Nessel & Kessel Law, located in Detroit. She has nearly 25 years of legal experience, covering a vast array of disciplines.

Dana began her legal career as an Assistant Prosecutor in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. For over a decade, Dana was assigned to a number of elite units within the office and handled some of Wayne County’s most difficult cases.

In 2005, Dana left the Prosecutor’s Office to start a business by opening her own legal firm. She has become renowned as a staunch defender of constitutional rights. In her criminal practice, Dana vigorously defends the rights of indigent defendants on hundreds of criminal cases, from petty theft to first-degree murder. She also handles civil rights actions for plaintiffs against police departments and government agencies who have committed transgressions against community residents. Dana has petitioned courts across Michigan on behalf of dozens of victims of domestic violence who sought Personal Protection Orders (PPOs) against their abusers.

In 2012, she spearheaded the precedent-setting case, DeBoer v. Snyder, which challenged the bans on adoption and marriage for same-sex couples in Michigan. DeBoer was later consolidated with its affiliated U.S. Sixth Circuit cases into Obergefell v. Hodges in the United States Supreme Court. This landmark case legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

Dana is the President and founder of the Fair Michigan Foundation. In 2016, Dana and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy created the Fair Michigan Justice Project, a first of its kind task force, which investigates and prosecutes hate crimes committed against the LGBTQ community. In the first year of its existence, the Justice Project had charged over a dozen capital offenses including homicides, sexual assaults, armed robberies, child abuse, attempted murder, and carjackings. The Fair Michigan Justice Project has a 100% conviction rate.

Dana has received numerous awards for her civil rights initiatives, including the “Champion of Justice” award from the Michigan State Bar Association, “Woman of the Year” from Michigan Lawyers Weekly and the “Treasure of Detroit” award from Wayne State University Law school. Dana lives in southeast Michigan with her wife, Alanna Maguire, their twin sons, Alex and Zach, along with various cats.

Stand Up For Our Civil Rights

Civil Rights

Michigan needs an Attorney General who advocates for greater inclusion in civil rights laws. As Attorney General I will aggressively prosecute hate crimes and all cases of discrimination, protect women's rights to access healthcare, and defend immigrants from Federal overreach.

Protect Our Environment

Environment

I will be a tireless advocate for our environment. I will fight to shut down Enbridge Line 5, and any other pipeline that threatens the Great Lakes. I will enforce environmental laws, prosecuting polluters who harm our environment and threaten the health and safety of Michiganders

Defend Workers & Labor Unions

Workers

For years elected officials have attacked laws that protect workplaces and workers rights. As Attorney General, I will make certain that Michiganders have safe workplaces, free from discrimination, sexual harassment, and environmental hazards.

Legalize & Regulate Cannabis

Legal Cannabis

Michigan needs common-sense licensing and regulation of cannabis manufacturing and distribution. When elected, I will work with the legislature and local law enforcement to ensure a safe market that keeps cannabis out of kids hands, and off the roads.

Protect Consumers & Students

Consumers

As Attorney General, I will go after bad actors, predatory lenders, and shady corporations that target Michigan residents. I will create an Auto Insurance Fraud Division to address our sky-high insurance rates, and I'll work to protect student borrowers from aggressive debt collection tactics.

Safeguard Senior Citizens

Senior Citizens

Michigan Seniors need help too. As AG, I will increase resources to defend seniors from neglect, abuse, and exploitation. I'll ensure that unsafe assisted living facilities and in-home care providers are stripped of their licenses, issue scam notifications for public awareness, and vigorously prosecute cases of Medicaid fraud.

The VisionTaking the Attorney General's office back, and returning it to the people.